Robert "Bob" Bruce Mills Sr.

Robert “Bob” Bruce Mills Sr. of Knoxville, and formerly of New Orleans, LA, went peacefully to his Lord and Savior Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the age of 91. Bob was born in New Orleans on September 20, 1930. He was preceded in death by his father, Sidney Austin Mills, Sr. and mother, Frieda R. Moreno Mills, and by his three older siblings, Sidney Jr., Rita, and Lloyd. He was a graduate of Warren Wilson College where he met his best friend, and the love of his life, Betty Irene Lee Mills who preceded him in death on September 6, 2019. They married in December of 1951 and shared 67 years of marriage and raised two loving sons. Bob was a hard worker; he got his first job at age 13 working at processing chickens at a poultry factory in New Orleans. After college, he made his life working in graphic design predominantly in advertising layout and design. When not at work, Bob spent his time with his family, helping to coach his son’s sports teams when they were young. He had a lifelong love of sports and could often be found listening to radio broadcasts or watching television games of his beloved New Orleans Saints, Atlanta
Braves and Tennessee Volunteers. He was a man of great faith, and sang in the choir at West Hills Presbyterian Church in Knoxville for several decades. He was a devout Christian who could be often found practicing his faith through song and service. In the Christian model of service and sacrifice, Bob spent nearly 20 years caring for his beloved Betty after she suffered a stroke in early 2000. In his final days, even at 91, he continued to strive for knowledge by reading books and papers and watching the news. He began and ended each day reading the Bible. He is sorely missed by his adoring family: sons Robert “Bobby” B. Mills, Jr., Jody L. Mills and wife Ruth; grandchildren Robert “Rob” B. Mills, III and wife Virginia, Heather Mills, Matthew Mills and wife Brandi and a total of seven precious great-grandchildren.

     Bob will be laid to rest beside his beloved Betty in a graveside service Monday, February 21, 2022 at 3:00 p.m., at Smyrna Cemetery in Byrdstown, TN. On-line condolences can be made at www.brownfuneralchapel.com